Commentary: Remembering George H. W. Bush

In August of 1992, I attended the Republican National Convention, in Houston, Texas. My desire to attend this convention was great because I really believed in George H. W. Bush. Unfortunately, I had just started a new job, was recently married, and had an infant at home to care for. I did not have time to network with the Texas delegation and secure a spot at the convention. So, I drove half a mile down the road to the then Adams Mark Hotel and convinced the California delegation to take me along.

I so wanted Bush to win that election. I admired his coolness, skill, reasoning, and political talent. He emphasized the importance of character and I wanted to be like him. Here are some of the traits that really impressed me about him:

Cool under pressure

Degree in Economics from Yale, sound economic mind

His ability to unite factions nationally and internationally

Discernment to know when to enter Kuwait

Knowing not to enter Iraq and call a cease fire

Keen knowledge of economics, “Watch your wallet”

Personification of a strong character and sound values

Like all of us, he had short comings; but he always pushed himself to go beyond his limitations – something that I struggle to do to this day

In 1992, George H. W. Bush lost his bid for reelection to the presidency and something suddenly went out of me, and I felt deflated. Everyone was so cruel to him, especially the media. “Spending too much time on foreign policy instead of national policy”, they said. Larry King showed him no respect at all. Even the president himself appeared battered.

Here is a clip exemplifying how cool President Bush could be under fire.

I lost my interest in politics at that time and it never really returned with the same fervor. As I stare over the nation’s political landscape, the scene is the worst one could ever image: hate, slurs, incivility, and rudeness. George H. W. Bush lifted us above this. My goal will be to honor him by modeling my personal behavior so that it is inline with his professional persona. I hope others follow the moral outline of his personal character – courtesy and goodwill.